According to Discovery Health, the average size a woman's heart is about 9 oz and a man's is 10.5 oz. Considering the weight, that isn't very big... not really. And yet from such a small organ we can experience such a great magnitude of emotion. It's a phenomenon, really.
However, what fascinates me about the heart is more than its physical condition. Something I've discussed before {{HERE}}, {{HERE}}, and finally {{HERE}} is that the heart can produce a physiological response as well.
When we act in Love, we can physically feel our heart swell and move to the front of our chest cavity. When we are surrounded by hurt or pain or deep, dark sadness or sorrow, we can feel our heart retract, become small and move to the back of our chest wall. Many may say it's a psychosomatic response. Which is to say it's the reaction of the mind that creates a physical condition change of the heart. Possibly. But I still say it's phenomenal.
If you have been following my blog for any extended amount of time, you will know that I have been through some experiences that, as John Mayer sings, "have offended my faith [in love] and my trust, Until all is lost..." A BIG part of my journey has been to realize the beauty of love in its completeness and in its fullness.
Often times we may hear or have even said the phrases, "You have a good heart" or "You have a big heart" and even, "You have a kind heart". This is something I truly strive for.
Although loving completely takes effort, I believe it is worth it.
On this journey to love, and to love completely and to be loved completely, it is imperative that we become aware of the condition of our heart.
Because of the conscientious effort to change the condition of my heart, I am actually learning that I am able to forgive more easily, heal from heartache more quickly, and give of my love more freely. It's empowering, actually.
Y'know the sentiment "Misery loves company"? Well, I believe, the same is true with love. Love loves company. Love attracts more love.
A friend commented just a few nights ago, "Boy, people sure do seem to love you." That sort of struck me funny. Especially, because there have been moments in my life, including earlier this year, I started to wonder if my personality made me unlovable.
Needless to say, his comment has been on my mind the last two nights since he said it. Today I thought, perhaps maybe they do love me. Maybe I am more lovable than I thought. Then again, perhaps it has more to do with the fact that I give love more freely now than I used to too.
You gotta give love to get love.
In improving the condition of my heart, I have learned this about love in general:
"I'm grateful that God allows trials and tragedies to occur in our lives. Not because they're easy or because they're desired, but because they help us love." - Chris Williams
If any of you from here remember the story of Chris Williams, who lives down at the south end of the Valley, you'll remember the tragedy he suffered a couple of years ago. It was all over the news for what seemed like months. I am continually amazed how, in spite of all sorts of tragedies occurring in our nation every day, there are still people like Chris.
If you have about 8 1/2 minutes, I highly recommend you watch this video about Chris's situation and how he was able to find love in the face of tragedy and how it has helped the condition of his heart to heal from that same tragedy.
Happy Sunday!
4 comments:
Very interesting, Emma. Did you know that your heart is actually the size of your clenched fist?
Hummmm, now that fact gave me something to think about! A babys heart is about the size of a walnut, so what delicate heart operations they sometimes have to go through.
So when people say "you have a big heart" does that mean that you have big hands!
This looks awfully familiar... I think I've seen this before!
LOVED that video!!! What an example. I sure don't know that I could have such a forgiving heart.
Very interesting!!
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